New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, Thursday 29 May 2025
During Members' Statements, government members highlighted new investments including a fiscal reform funding model for local governments, an enhanced rental benefit, a $7.35 million investment in CCNB Bathurst, and reduced barriers for skilled workers, while opposition members repeatedly criticized the Holt government's spending cuts to education, health, food banks, and library workers. The Green Party also welcomed the extension of a community-based ambulance pilot project. No routine proceedings or bill debates appear in this portion of the transcript.
Members' Statements
Riverview Sports Wall of Fame recognition
Unknown
A member concluded a tribute honouring inductees to the Riverview Sports Wall of Fame, praising their hard work and dedication.
Criticism of Education Minister on school district cuts
Ms. Bockus
Drawing on her journalism background, Bockus accused the Holt government and Education Minister of changing their story on cuts, arguing the minister's claim to have always intended to negotiate with school districts does not align with prior consultations and correspondence.
Community-based ambulance pilot project
Mr. Coon
Coon celebrated the successful community-based ambulance pilot in Port Elgin, Cap-Pelé, and Fords Mills, which is being extended 60 days, and urged replacing Medavie Blue Cross's dynamic deployment system with a province-wide community-based model.
New fiscal reform funding model for local governments
Ms. Sodhi
Sodhi highlighted a new fiscal reform funding model providing local governments $138 million in 2026, an increase of $63 million, rising to over $188 million by 2030 to support stability and affordability.
Criticism of Holt government cuts
Mr. Weir
Weir characterized the Holt government's first six months as chaos, confusion, and cuts, listing reductions to food banks, school districts, Horizon Health, seniors funding, pharmacy clinics, the Chimo mental health line, and tourism advertising.
Investment in CCNB Bathurst and post-secondary education
Mr. Robichaud
Robichaud announced a $7.35 million investment in CCNB Bathurst for the next phase of campus renewal, building on recent funding for Université de Moncton's CEPS and student housing at UNB.
Criticism of Holt government negotiating approach
Ms. M. Wilson
Wilson mocked the government's approach as 'cut first' before negotiating, dialogue, or consulting, and criticized the Education and Health ministers for omitting mention of the $43 million and $50 million cuts.
Investment in direct-to-tenant rental benefit
Ms. Wilcott
Wilcott announced an additional $21 million into the direct-to-tenant rental benefit, enabling over 2,000 more New Brunswickers to access safe and affordable housing.
Criticism of Premier's negotiating style
Mr. Hogan
Hogan compared the Premier's negotiating style to President Trump's, accusing her of causing an explosion in Education, then negotiating, then insulting the school districts by blaming them for the $43 million in ordered cuts.
Amendments to Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act
Mr. Bourque
Bourque noted the government passed a bill through third reading amending the Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act to reduce barriers for skilled workers from outside New Brunswick and speed their entry into the workforce.
Criticism of cuts to library workers
Mr. Lee
Lee criticized the Holt government for cutting library jobs near the end of the school year, saying the class of 2025 will remember it as prioritizing 'dollars, not scholars' and neglecting literacy.
This is Tabled's summary of the sitting, written from the official record; Hansard is only ever quoted at the link above. Search New Brunswick Hansard for the words themselves, or read this sitting in the archive.